Building construction



March 22, 1932. MEYERS 1,850,118

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Oc t. 15, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYMarch 22, 1932. A. M. MEYERS BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 15, 1928ZSheetS-Sheet 2 V -INVENTOR /gf/v M-Meye/a ATTORNEY l I l I l I u I I 4vll Patented Mar. 22, 1932 UNITED STATES ALFRED I. MEY'ERS, OF KANSASCITY, KANSAS BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Application filed October 15, 1928.Serial 1T0. 312,482.

My invention relates to steel structures and more particularly tostructural steel sections and methods for fabricating and erecting thesame, the principal object ofv the invention being to adapt steel foruse in the construction of relatively small buildings.

Structural steel has heretofore been provided in shapes, weights andcondition for the frames of relatively large holdings, and for bridges;and relatively light steel sections such as angles have been providedfor miscellaneous framing and reinforcing purposes. The use of standardsections for smaller buildings such as dwellings involves theinstallation of anexcessive amount of steel proportionate to the duty ofthe frame work, and the use of the lighter standard members such asangles requires make-shift means for building up studs and beam memberstherefrom and a multiplicity of connectors for tying the structuralmembers together.

Furthermore, standard rolled sections such as I-beams are used inframe-works chiefly consisting of light standard. steel members, sincethe angles and channels now available are not adapted for building upstructural sections to replace the rolled beams.

It is therefore a further object of the invention toshape and'fabricatea structural steel section for use in the erection of small buildingsand to build up structural steel sections from such novel members,whereby the amount of steel used in a building will be exactlyproportionate to the duty of the frame-work, and the connected sectionswill adequately support the structure.

Further objects of the invention are to minimize the amountof shodrawings necessary for the preparation of t e steel material for abuildlng, to minimize the sho work for conditioning steel sectionscarried in stock, to 1 simplify the gathering of the steel materials fora building, and to reducethe labor ins volved in the erection of a steelframe-work while assuring accuracy of assembly. and rigidity andstrength of the structure.

In accomplishin these and other objects of the invention, have providedimproved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are,illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of adjacent front and side portions of asteel framework embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is avertical sectional view of a cor-- ner portion of a completedbuilding including portions of the steel frame-work viewed from the sidein Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross section of a sill on the line 3 3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is across section of a corner stud or colunm on the line 44, Fig.1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a clip angle for connectingangularly extendin members.

ig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of a connected sill and studshown on the line 6-6, Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of adjacent end portions ofcharacteristic structural steel members constructed in accordance withmy invention and adapted to be joined to form beam-like sections.

' Referring in detail to the drawings:

1 and 2 desi nate front and side ground floor, sills 3 and 4 upper floorsills, 5, 6, and

..7, studs for supporting the upper from the lower sills, 8 sills ofbuilding openings, 9 the lintels for said openings and 10 short studsfor connecting the transverse members with the sills, all beingconstructed in accordance with my invention as presently described andcomprisin steel frame elements in a two story bui ding to which theinvention is shown as applied for illustrative purposes.

The basic elements in the structure are structural steel sections. ormembers such as r 11 and 12 which are channel-like and will therefore beidentified as channels in the description to distinguish them frombeam-like structural members andsections built up of channels either inthe yard or on the job.

The channel such as 11, Fig. 7, comprises a web or body 13 and likeflanges 14 which may vary in width from the width of the web, the

'- web having a longitudinal series of uniformly spaced openings 15 onits median line and each of the flanges having a'series of similarlyspaced openings 15 approximately on its median line, but spaced from theback edges of the flanges the same distance as the spacing of the webopenings from the longitudinal edges of the outer surface or back 13 ofthe web, the openings of the flanges being traisversely aligned with theopenings of the we The openings. are spaced from the end edges of theweb and flanges by a distance equal to half of the spacing between theopenings in a series from center to center, and the spacing of theopenings from the end edges is equal to the spacing of the openings fromthe outer common longitudinal edges of the flanges and web.

The channel 12 comprises a web 16 the width of which represents amultiple of the width of the web 13 and is preferably twice I the widthof said web 13, and equal flanges 17 each provided with a series ofopenings 18 similarl uniformly speaced and similarly dispose to theopenings 15 in the flanges of the channel 11.

The web 16 of the channel 12 is provided with a plurality of Ionitudinal series of openings 19 and 20 space from the lon itudinal edgesof the back 16 of the web y a distance equal to the spacing of theopenings 15 and 18 from the edges of the portions in which they areformed. The openings 19 and 20 are also transversely aligned with theopenings 18 in the flanges 17 of said member 12, whereby registry of anend or back edge of one channel with an end or back edge of anotherchannel will result in registry of openings for insertion of bolts forconnecting the channels.

Attention is now called to characteristics of standard channels whichhamper their use punched by a fabricator according to specifications fora particular job.

I preferably fabricate the channels described, from a steel strip,rolling the strip to provide a fiat plate of indefinite length,

punching successive lateral series of openmgs to rm parallellongitudinal series of openings in the fiat strip, and bending the strion longitudinal lines positioned central y between the outer series andthe adlacent series of longitudinally disposed openings to form achannel-like section, which may be cut' into lengths suitable foraparticular job.

Two types of channels may be produced,

tion with the dimensions of the member 12 though the dimensions mayvary. One type is represented by the channel 11 which has three openingsin each lateral series, the central opening being on the median line ofthe web when the strip has been formed to produce the channel. The type12 has preferably four openings in each transverse series whereby twolongitudinal series of openings are provided in the web.

A beam member such as the sill 1 (Fig. 3) comprises a channel 11 and achannel 12 positioned with one of its flanges 17 aligned with the web ofthe channel 11 and the lower portion of its web in back to face contactwith the adjacent flange 14: of the channel 11, the series of openings20 of the channel 12 registering with the openings of the flange of themember 11 to receive bolts 21 for securely connecting the members.

Studs such as the amb studs 5 and intermediate studs 6 consist ofchannels 11 positioned vertically on the channel 11 of a ground floorsill 1 or 2 with the sides of their lower ends engaging the upwardlyextending portion of the web of the channel 12. Supporting upper floorsills such as 3 and 4 are reversely positioned to the lower sills sothat the channels 11 of the upper sills rest on the upper ends of thestuds and depending portions of the channels 12 engage the sides of thestuds.

The stiffer studs 7 comprising posts or columns for the corners andsimilar positions in the frame are preferably constructed of threechannel members 11a, 11b, and 110 as illustrated in Fig. 4, two of thechannel mem bers having their webs in back to back contact while the webof the third is in back to face contact'with the flange of one of thefirst named channels, the engaged channels being connected by bolts.

The end of one channel may extend beond the end of the mating channel ina cam as illustrated in Fig. 6 and shown in Fig. 1 at the points Wherethe sills meet and are connected with the corner studs, for example theend of the channel 12 of the side ground sill 2 being spaced from theend of the channel 11 of said member to receive the channels 12 and 11of the sill l and permit the mounting of the channels 11a and 11b of thecorner stud on the channel 11 of the sill 2 and the mounting of thechannel 110 of the corner stud on the channel 11 of the sill 1, asimilar interlocking or dove-tailed arrangement being rovided forjolilning the upper end of a stu with upper s1 s.

The channels of the several beams are further connected and securedtogether by brackets or clip angles 22 comprising rightangularlyextending arms 23 and 2 1 having a series of aligned openings 25uniformly spaced similarlyto the longitudinal spacing of the channelopenings. The clips may be mounted at the juncture of right-angularlyextending members, either within the recesses of the channels or on theouter, faces of the channels, and because of the uniform and. similarspacing of the openings of the clips and channels, the o enings will bein registry to receive bolts or attaching one arm of the clip to onechannel and the other arm to an angularly extending channel to securethe stud to a sillas illustrated particularly in Fig. 6, or to secure alintel to a jamb as illustrated in Fig. 1.

The jambs 5, intermediate studs 6 and short studs 10 may also beconnected to sills by clip angleslying in the recesses of the channelsor extending along the faces thereof since the uniform spacing of theopenings of both clip angles and channels longitudinally and from theend edges of the respective members assures registry of openings toreceive connecting bolts.

Portions of the frame comprisingthe studs and sills are braced andstiflened by tie-rods 26 comprising relatively flexible rods having endsthreaded to a distance equal to the longitudinal spacing of the openingsin a channel, whereby one end of a rod may be secured to one channel bysuitable fastening means such as a nut, extended through a selectedopening in an intermediate stud and into an available opening of anotherchannel for latching to the last named channel with a suitable fastenersuch as a nut.

The uniform longitudinal spacing of the openings in the studs and sillspermits any desired extension of the tie-rods over an extremely widerange since an opening is always available within the distance of a unitof spacing of the openings to receive the outer threaded end of the rod,and the rods 1 need not be extended rectilinearly.

Floor beams such as 27 and 28 may be positioned in engagement with thelower and upper sills for support therefrom, and ceiling sills maysupport angularly extending rafters 29 comprising channels 12, the upperends of which at the ridge of the roof are connected by single boltsextending through the terminal openings in the channels.

The rafters are latched to the upper ceiling sills by clip angles eachhaving one arm bolted to the sills and an upwardly extending arm boltedto the web of the rafter channel.

Building materials such as wooden beams 30 may be bolted to the flangesor bodies of the channels and the openings provide convenient means forsecuring wall covering such as 31 and floor materials 32 to thestructural sections.

In employing the invention a stock of steel strips is first provided insets, each set including strips of two widths, one width being adaptedto form the channels 11 and the other to form the channels 12. Forexample, strips approximately 9 inches wide will be provided for thechannels 11 and strips approximately 12 inches wide for the channels 12;or strips 12 inches wide for the channels 11 and 16 inches wide for thechannels 12. When provided in coil form the strips are firststraightened and then the openin s are punched. In punching the strip toorm a channel 11, the longitudinal spacing of the openings from centerto center is substantially equal to one-third the width of the strip,the outer longitudinal series being spaced equally from the positions ofthe common longitudinal edges of the web and flanges and a distanceequal to half the longitudinal spacing of the openings.

The central longitudinal series of openings in the strip adapted forchannels 11 is on the median line of the strip. The two interiorlongitudinal series on the strips adapted for channels 12 are spacedfrom center to center equally with the longitudinal spacing and equallydistant from the median line of the strip.

After the openings are punched the strips are bent into channel shapewhereby the end edge or one back edge of one channel may be positionedin registry with the end or back edge of another channel and there willbe assurance of registry of openings for connecting the channels.

The channels arethen selected in accordance with'the tabulation, and cutand assembled without the necessity for shop drawings. No otheroperations are involved than cutting the channels and bolting themembers of a section together. The bolting maybe performed on the job.In any event relatively light members in condition for erection aretransported to the site of the building and a relatively small number oftypes of sections is necessary since jambs and intermediate studs,lintels and opening sills,rshort studs for various positions, and sillsfor front and sides and for upper stories, are respectivelyinterchangeable.

The tie rods and clip angles are all of uniform type and size since theyare adapted to be applied to openings which are uniformly spaced in allthe members.

Ordinary skill and care, in view of the relatively simple procedurenecessary for the carrying out o the architects plan for the building,will result in the erection of the steel frame-work and the applicationof the covering to comprise a substantial and rigid structure.

Variations from the architects plan and from the arrangement initiallyprovided for in the fabrication of the sections may easily be effectedsince any shortening of a section will be so done as to space theterminal openings of longitudinal series the same distance as I .sections. .,PartitiOnS, floors, and walls ma be modifrom the ends of theshortened members as were the terminal openings in the original fiedafter com letion of the bui din with relatively sma expense and labor,an openings may be closed or new ones installed without weakening thestructure, since accurate A means for joining newly introduced sectionsand the spacing of the series-of openings in a flange from thelongitudinal free edge or toe of the flange may therefore vary withoutdisturbing the utility of the invention for the purposes now beingdescribed.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i

1. A structural steel beam comprising a channel-like section havinglongitudinal :imseries of centrally disposed openings in its body andflanges and a second channel-like, section having a body gagement withthe body of the first named channel and provided with a plurality of.

, longitudinal series of open ngs spaced similarly to the openings ofthe first named channel.

2. A structural steel beam comprising a channel-like section havinglongitudinally centrally disposed openings in its body and flanges and asecond channel-like sect on having a body provided with a plurality oflongitudinal series of openings spaced similarly to'the openings of thefirst named channel and spaced from the longitudinaledges of the bodyequally with the spacing of the openings-of said first channel from thelongitudinal edges thereof, a flange of the first named section being inface to back engagement with the body of the second-named section.

3. A structural steel beam comprising a plurality of members including achannellike section having longitudinally disposed equally spacedopenings on the center lines of J; its body and flanges and a secondchannel-like section having body in back to face engagement with. aflange of the first named ,ehannel and provided with a plurality oflongitudinal series of openings spaced simi larly to the openings of thefirst named channel and spaced from the longitudinal edges of the bodyequally with the spacing-of the openings of said first channel from thelongitudinal edges thereof, means in said openings securing the channelstogether, said secin back-to back en-' 0nd channel having equal flangesprovided with uniformly s aced openings registerable with openings 0similar channels for connection therewith.

4. A beam comprising a channel-like memberv comprising a body and equalflanges of equal width with the body, said body and flanges havinglongitudinal series of openings uniformly spaced from center to centerby a distance equal to the width of the body and a second channel-likemember com rising a web having twice the width of said ody and a(plurality of series of longitudinally arrange openings spaced similarlyto the spaced openings of the first named member whereby an abuttingflange of the first named member may engage the web of the second namedmember for registry of openings of said web and flange.

5. A beam comprising a channel-like member comprising a body and equalflanges of equal width with the body, said body and flanges havinglongitudinal series of openings uniformly spaced from center to centerby a distance equal to the width of the body and a second channel-likemember comprising a web having twice the width of said body and having aplurality of series of longitudinally arranged opemngs uniformly spacedsimilarly to the spaced openings of the first named member, thesecond'channel member having equal flanges provided with longitudinalseries of opemngs spaced similarly to the openings of the first namedmember.-

6. A'beam comprising a channel-like member comprising a body and equalflanges of equal width with the body, said body and flanges havinglongitudinal series of openings on their median lines spaced from cen-'ter to center by a distance equal to the width of the body and flanges,and a second channeLlike member comprising abody having a plurality ofseries of longitudinally arranged openings'spaced similarly to thespaced openings o the said first named member, and flanges provided withlongitudinal series of openings spaced similarly to the openings of thefirst named member, a selected series of openings in the flange of onemember registering with a selected series of openings of the othermember, and fastening means in registering openings.

7. In a steel structure, verticalv members including channel-likesections, a transverse member comprising a channel-like section, saidmembers having similarly and uniformly spaced series of longitudinallyarranged web openings, and a bracket comprising angular. arms having aseries of longitudinally arranged openings spaced similarly to thespacing of aforesaid openings for registry therewith to receive boltsadapted to connect the arms of the bracket-with the vertical andtransverse members respectively for support of the transverse memberfrom the vertical members.

8. A steel structure comprising spaced vertical channel-like sectionshaving longitudinal series of regularly spaced openings, horizontalchannel-like sections having series of openings spaced similarly tothose of the vertical sections, means including members insertable inselected openings for connecting the vertical sections with thehorizontal sections, and tie rods adapted to be mounted in selected 0enings of said sections to receive nuts a apted to anchor the tie rodsin functional position to brace the structure.-

9. In a steel structure, a series of vertical channel-like sectionshaving longitudinal series of uniformly spaced openings, transversesections having series of openings similar to those of the verticalsections, means for connecting the sections, and tie rods movablethrough selected openings, and nuts adapted to anchor said rods toselected sections in tieing position.

10. In a steel structure, vertical members and transverse members havinglongitudinal series of regularly spaced openings adapted bracingmeansincluding tie rods extending,

through selected openings and having ends to register to receiveconnecting means, and

projecting beyond selected sections, and nuts on said ends for anchoringthe tie rods to the sections.

11. In a steel structure, a beam including channels having right angularweb and flange portions provided with longitudinal series of openingsspaced equally from longitudinal edges of the portions, one portion ofone channel being in face to face engagement with one portion of theother channel and the openings in said portions registering to receivefastening means, andthe adjacent right angular portion of the firstnamed channel being in alignment with the adjacent right angular portionof the second named channel.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ALFRED M. MEYERS.

